“Everyone’s watching.” His warm breath brushed against my skin.
But instead of calming me…
It reminded me of one painful truth.
This wasn’t because he suddenly wanted to dance with me.
It wasn’t because I was his sister.
Or even his adoptive sister.
He was only doing this because dozens of people were watching us.
Why else…
Why else would someone like Alexander suddenly ask me to dance?
Why was I even disappointed?
What exactly had I been expecting?
The soft melody began to play as we slowly moved across the dance floor, our steps falling naturally into rhythm.
Even though I had never liked attending formal events, my parents had insisted I learn how to dance from a young age.
They always said it was an essential skill for someone raised in a business family.
What I had never expected…
was that my very first dance would be with my indifferent adoptive brother.
Still…
I couldn’t help feeling grateful.
Even if Alexander still hadn’t fully accepted me, this was a memory I would treasure forever.
At least, whenever I looked back on this night, I would remember that, for a few brief moments, he had treated me like I truly belonged in his family.
Maybe this was the closest we had ever been.
Without realizing it, I gently rested my head against his broad chest.
Alexander’s body stiffened the instant my forehead touched him.
But he didn’t move away.
Neither did I.
“Thank you, Brother,” I whispered softly after we had danced in silence for several minutes.
He didn’t answer.
I could almost feel his confusion.
So I continued.
“Thank you for sharing your family with me all this time.” “I know you might not truly accept me yet, but…
you still allowed me to share your parents, your home…
and so much more.” A small smile tugged at my lips.
“I’m really grateful for that.” I wasn’t expecting a reply.
In fact, I thought he would simply remain silent as always.
Instead…
he spoke.
His voice carried emotions I couldn’t understand.
Pain.
Hurt.
Disappointment.
Or perhaps…
all of them at once.
“Is that so?” he asked quietly.
There was something almost accusing in his tone.
I slowly lifted my head from his chest, though I still couldn’t bring myself to meet his eyes.
“Mm,” I answered softly.
For a long moment, he simply stared at me.
His jaw gradually tightened.
Then he finally spoke again.
“Then why do you want more?” My eyes widened.
Only then did I look up.
His expression had completely changed.
The warmth that had briefly appeared moments ago had disappeared, replaced by the familiar icy indifference I’d always known.
No…
Even colder than before.
“What are you talking about, Brother?” His eyes darkened.
Then, in a voice so low that only I could hear— “Don’t call me brother.” The words struck me so unexpectedly that I froze.
I stared at him in complete confusion.
“If you’re grateful for what you already have…” His hand around my waist tightened almost imperceptibly.
“…then why do you keep trying to take even more?” I frowned.
My heart tightened with confusion.
“What are you talking about?” I asked quietly.
“I really don’t understand.” His sharp jaw remained clenched, and his piercing blue eyes never left mine.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then, just as I was about to ask again, the music slowly faded.
A brief screech echoed through the speakers as someone adjusted the microphone on the stage.
Alexander’s hand tightened around my waist for the briefest moment.
Yet neither of us looked away from the other.
“Brother…
I really don’t understand what you’re saying.
Please…..” “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.” Uncle shedrak’s warm voice echoed throughout the ballroom.
Only then did I finally tear my gaze away from Alexander.
I looked around and realized the music had already stopped.
Alexander had released my hand.
Now he stood quietly beside me.
But the hand resting against my waist remained firm, as though he had no intention of letting me step away just yet.
I looked toward the stage and saw Aunt Rose standing beside Uncle shedrak, a warm smile gracing her face as she looked out at the guests.
“We truly appreciate every one of you for being here today,” Uncle shedrak began.
“Thank you for joining us as we celebrate our beautiful daughter, Alice Johnson.” Warm applause echoed through the ballroom.
Then his voice grew softer.
“Five years ago, we experienced a tragedy that took away our beloved friends, Sebastian and Lily Johnson.” My brows slowly furrowed.
Why was Uncle suddenly talking about my parents?
“After they passed away, my wife and I made a promise to ourselves.” He glanced briefly at Aunt Rose before smiling.
“We promised that we would raise Alice as our own daughter.” “And today…” His eyes found mine.
“As we celebrate both her twentieth birthday and her graduation from university, we couldn’t be prouder of the remarkable young woman she has become.” A fresh round of applause filled the ballroom.
Before it could die down, Uncle shedrak spoke again.
“And on this special day…” “I’m pleased to officially announce the transfer of the Johnson Culinary group to its one and only heir…” He paused briefly.
“…Alice Johnson.” Thunderous applause erupted throughout the hall.
Guests smiled.
Yet I remained completely still.
Confused.
This…
was never part of the plan.
I thought Uncle was still trying to convince the shareholders to accept me.
What changed?
Had they finally agreed?
Was that why so many of them were present tonight?
But just a few days ago, they had all been firmly against the idea.
How could they suddenly change their minds overnight?
And…
why announce it on my birthday?
I should have felt happy.
Instead…
An uneasy feeling slowly settled deep inside my chest.
Something about all of this felt terribly wrong.
And for some reason…
I couldn’t shake that feeling.
After the applause gradually faded, I noticed Uncle shedrak exchange a brief look with Alexander.
Almost immediately, the hand resting on my waist tightened.
I instinctively looked up at him.
My breath caught.
His expression had darkened.
I had never seen him look like this…
Especially not toward my adoptive parents.
Alexander loved Aunt Rose and Uncle shedrak more than anyone else.
He respected them.
Listened to them.
He would do almost anything to make them happy.
So why were father and son exchanging such a tense look?
“But…” Uncle shedrak’s voice echoed through the silent ballroom once again, drawing everyone’s attention back to the stage.
“That isn’t the only thing we’re celebrating tonight.” Curious murmurs spread among the guests.
A smile appeared on Uncle shedrak’s face.
“We also shouldn’t forget my hardworking and devoted son, Alexander, the current CEO of the Livingston Corporation.” He glanced toward us before continuing.
“My wife and I have watched both of them grow into remarkable young adults.” “For the past few months…” “We’ve been thinking about how to ensure they continue supporting each other and remain by each other’s side, just as they always have.” He paused.
Slowly sweeping his gaze across the ballroom.
Across the shareholders.
The guests.
Then finally…
Alexander and me.
When our eyes met, Uncle shedrak gave me a reassuring smile.
But…
I couldn’t bring myself to return it.
Something inside me was already screaming that this wasn’t right.
Then he smiled warmly and made the announcement.
“So tonight…” “It gives us great joy to officially announce the engagement of our two beloved children.” For a second…
My heart simply stopped.
The ballroom instantly erupted into whispers.
Some guests gasped in surprise.
Others immediately began applauding.
Congratulations echoed from every direction.
Yet…
I couldn’t hear any of it.
My mind had gone completely blank.
I could see Uncle shedrak’s lips moving.
But I couldn’t hear a single word he was saying anymore.
Everything around me faded into silence.
The next thing I felt was Alexander gently guiding me toward the stage.
Almost mechanically, I looked up at him.
His face had already returned to its usual calm, unreadable expression.
The clenched jaw from moments ago was gone.
Only those icy blue eyes remained.
Eyes that refused to meet mine.
We slowly climbed the steps together.
The moment I reached the stage, Aunt Rose pulled me into a warm embrace.
“Aunt…” I whispered, my voice trembling.
Before I could say anything else, she gently stroked my hair.
“Shh…” “Don’t worry, sweetheart.” “We’ll talk when we get home.” She slowly pulled away.
Before I had time to process her words, Ariana stepped forward carrying a small velvet box.
She handed it to Uncle Shedrak.
Who then placed it into Alexander’s hand.
My heart pounded wildly.
Was this…
Really happening?
Alexander quietly took my hand into his.
His fingers were warm.
Steady.
Without saying a single word…
He opened the ring box….